Candy mold maker Micelli purchase of Aztec to boost offerings for both firms

West Babylon, N.Y.-based Micelli Chocolate Mold Co. has acquired Edgewood, N.Y.-based Aztec Tool Co. Inc. to add in-house toolmaking and molding capabilities and it also has plans to eventually relocate there.

The strategic acquisition gives Micelli access to commercial and industrial toolmaking and injection molding capabilities from presses ranging from 75-1,500 tons of clamping force to support its low-volume, high-custom chocolate and confections molding business.

Aztec will benefit from engineering resources, extended design and prototyping capabilities, and increased capacity in computer numerically controlled machining and manufacturing, according to a news release about the deal.

The acquired company has been renamed and rebranded as Aztec Tooling & Injection Molding Co. to reflect its expanded capabilities.

Micelli officials will move the West Babylon operations in phases to Aztec's modern 25,000-square-foot facility in nearby Edgewood. Production won't be disrupted, according to the release.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in the 1940s, Micelli is known as an injection molding partner to the chocolates and confectioneries industry. The company builds injection molds from aluminum and then uses them to create highly precise polycarbonate molds with multiple cavities that are used to produce chocolate treats.

The company claims to be the only manufacturer of polycarbonate chocolate molds in North America.

Aztec was established in 1977. The company provides injection molds and molded products to the cosmetic, medical, packaging, electronic and industrial markets.

The union of these companies will let both reduce toolmaking costs, compress mold lead times and help their customers accelerate speed to market, according to Micelli President Tim Goddeau.

"Rarely does a company accomplish so much with one strategic move," he said in the release. "The acquisition enables the new Aztec to provide current and future customers with a whole new set of diversified toolmaking and plastic injection molding capabilities. This includes aluminum molding, for example, which increases manufacturing versatility while improving cost efficiencies.

"At the same time, Micelli expands its own manufacturing footprint, bringing even greater injection molding value to its chocolate and confections customers," he said.

The consolidation and integration presents new opportunities that extend beyond machinery and manufacturing, impacting the future of both companies, Goddeau added.

"The human factor of this acquisition alone creates an inflection point for Aztec that cannot be overstated," he said. "The blending of skilled personnel and the expertise they represent create design-engineering and toolmaking synergies that will tangibly benefit Aztec's customers. The value-added advancements in craftsmanship, agility, product quality and versatility equip Aztec to explore diverse new markets, including pharmaceutical, packaging, point-of-purchase display and automotive. Plus, Micelli expands manufacturing capacity. It's a win-win for both companies."